Archive for
July 21st, 2009

They’re back! The 2006-08 USA Basketball Men’s National Team coaching staff of head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University), and assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mike D’Antoni (New York Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Portland Trail Blazers), a staff that led the American men to gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a three year record of 36-1, will return intact to lead the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program in 2010-2012.

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo officially announced today that Basketball Hall of Fame mentor Krzyzewski will return as head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program for 2010-2012, and that Boeheim, D’Antoni and McMillan were returning as USA assistant coaches.

Over the course of 2010-2012, USA Men’s National Teams will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey); if necessary the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England).

The Sacramento Kings and forward Sean May today reached an agreement in principle on a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are all excited to have him join the team,” said Petrie. “It’s a great opportunity for him and us as well. We look forward to this being a chance for him to combine his talent with his health and motivation.”

May amassed career averages of 8.5 points (.457 FGs, .333 3FGs, .760 FTs), 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game through 82 games with the Charlotte Bobcats in three seasons, sitting out the 2007-08 campaign due to injury. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 11.9 points (.500 FGs, .667 3FGs, .768 FTs), 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game over 35 contests.

The 13th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Bobcats out of the University of North Carolina, May led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

AUGUST 3 UPDATE: KINGS OFFICIALLY SIGN SEAN MAY

The Sacramento Kings today signed forward Sean May to a contract, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are all excited to have him join the team,” said Petrie. “It’s a great opportunity for him and us as well. We look forward to this being a chance for him to combine his talent with his health and motivation.”

May amassed career averages of 8.5 points (.457 FGs, .333 3FGs, .760 FTs), 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game through 82 games with the Charlotte Bobcats in three seasons, sitting out the 2007-08 campaign due to injury. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 11.9 points (.500 FGs, .667 3FGs, .768 FTs), 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game over 35 contests.

The 13th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Bobcats out of the University of North Carolina, May led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

The AP reports: Former Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis point guard Antonio Burks remains in critical condition a day after being shot during a robbery… The Commercial Appeal quoted police as saying Burks and four other men were in the backyard of a Memphis house when they were robbed by three men. They shot Burks and another man, whose identity was not released. Police said the second victim also was in critical condition.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Former Memphis Tiger and Grizzly Antonio Burks was shot as he watched six men gamble with dice in the backyard of a home in South Memphis, according to police. Three armed robbers came around both sides of the house at 353 Laclede just before 6 p.m. Monday and began firing immediately, a victim told police. The robbers, who arrived in a purple or blue GMC Equinox or Envoy and weren’t wearing masks, forced the victims to the ground and robbed them of money and their clothes. One victim, identified by police as Vincent Williams, 44, was shot in the stomach and robbed of $300.

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed Jrue Holiday, the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Holiday (6-3/180) was an early entry candidate for the draft following his freshman season at UCLA.

All players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed a contract, so this is an expected, routine signing.

The 19-year-old was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team last season after averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 35 games played. Holiday was paired in the Bruins backcourt along with senior Darren Collison who was selected with the 21st overall pick by New Orleans.

Earlier this month, Holiday started all five games for the Sixers/Nets entry in the Orlando Pro Summer League. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, a team-high 3.0 assists and a team-high tying 1.60 steals in 29.0 minutes per game.

The 2008 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Holiday averaged 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 4.8 steals during his senior season at Campbell Hall High School in California.

The Boston Globe (Chad Finn) reports (via blog): The first coach in Maine Red Claws history has a familiar last name and a family tie to one of the NBA Developmental League franchise’s parent clubs, the Celtics. The Red Claws introduced Austin Ainge as the team’s head coach. Ainge, 27, who was most recently a scout for the Celtics, is the son of Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge… Ainge spent last season as scout with the Celtics, where included working with rookies J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker while they were on assignment with Utah of the D-League.

The Orlando Magic are about to land help at the swingman spots. Yahoo (Adrian Wojnarowski) reports:

In an aggressive summer of spending, the Orlando Magic have agreed with Matt Barnes on a two-year, $3.2 million contract, a league source said Monday night… The deal includes a player option of $1.6 million in 2010-11, the source said. Barnes will sign the agreement on Tuesday.

Assuming the deal happens, it’s a good move for the Magic. Barnes will help their bench. With new shooting guard Vince Carter likely starting and Rashard Lewis probably sliding from power forward to his natural small forward position, Mickael Pietrus and Barnes will provide nice backup minutes at the SG and SF spots.

Last season with the Phoenix Suns Barnes averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.0 minutes per game.